Speedsters Patrick Odongo and Janet Okello landed first tries for the Kenya Sevens and Kenya Lionesses respectively, as the home teams got off to a flying start in the World Rugby Sevens Division II tournament at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on Saturday.
However, Kenya Lionesses were made to fight hard for the victory after suffering an early setback. The Lionesses found themselves on the backfoot, trailing 12-0 against Brazil, who scored tries through Thalia Costa and Bianca Silva before turning the tide to triumph 15-12 in the women’s contest of Nairobi Sevens.
Okello, who plies her trade in Japan, landed an unconverted try as the Lionesses came back to life, reducing the deficit to 12-5 at the break.
Stella Wafula was at her best, the player scoring a try as the Lionesses inched closer, even after France-based Grace Okulu missed her second conversion. Naomi Wafula came off the bench to replace Moreen Muritu, and the player scored a try that put Lionesses 15-12 ahead as Okulu’s boot once again failed her with the conversion.
Patrick Odongo Kenya Shujaa Belgium HSBC Division Two Rugby Tournament Nyayo National Stadium
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
In the men’s game, Odongo landed two of Kenya Sevens’ five tries as Shujaa dismantled Canada 2 9-12 , much to the delight of the local fans. Chrisant Ojwang, Nygel Amaitsa and Festus landed Shujaa’s other tries.
Ojwang and Odongo engaged in a scintillating exchange before Odongo blasted through to land in the third minute. Amaitsa added the extras. Minutes later, Shujaa were on fire as Ojwang latched on to a loose ball from the ruck and sped off towards the tryline, beating his Canadian markers. Amaitsa failed to split the poles as Kenya led 12-0.
Minutes later, Ojwang and Odongo were at it again with pulsating exchanges before Odongo sliced through to complete his brace. Amaitsa converted to put Kenya ahead 17-0.
The Canadians returned with a pick-and-drive display for Mordan Di Nardo to pull back a try for them. Lachlan Kratz converted to inch closer 17-7 at the break.
Kalin Sager went to the board with a well-worked try, but the Kenyans hit back ruthlessly when Amaitsa dummied through his markers to score before Shiasi also went for a similar move.
In other men’s matches, the United States of America thrashed Belgium 40-0 while Germany stunned Uruguay 19-14. In the women’s battle, Argentina stopped China 20-10 before outclassing Spain 19-17 while South Africa humbled Spain 14-12. The teams have two more rounds of matches today before competing with two rounds of matches tomorrow in the round robin competition.
After Nairobi Sevens, the series will head to South America for a back-to-back championship with Montevideo, the capital city of Uruguay, staging the second leg on March 21 to 22, and Sao Paulo, Brazil, hosting the last on March 28 to 29.
Janet Okello Kenya Lionesses Gao Xiaoyang China HSBC Division Two Rugby Tournament Nyayo National Stadium
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
The top four teams after the three-leg men's and women’s championships will join the eight teams from the World Rugby Sevens Division I in the World Championship that will feature three events.
They are Hong Kong (April 17-19), Valladolid in Spain (May 29-31) and Bordeaux in France (June 5-7).
The winners will be crowned world champions, with the four teams that will finish at the bottom being relegated to Division II with the remaining staying for the 2026/2027 World Rugby Division I Series.
